Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 28 Apr 1966

Vol. 222 No. 5

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Milk.

64.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a general statement in relation to the price of milk supplied to the creameries; if he is satisfied that the claim made by the dairy farmers for an increase in the price of milk is justified having regard to the increased costs of production and also the increase in labour and in rates which must be met by the milk producers; and if in view of this he will now take steps to meet the wishes of the milk suppliers' association and to grant an increase in the price of milk.

65.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will give details of any recent meetings which he has had with the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association; if he will place on the records of the House the correspondence and exchange of views which he has had in relation to the claims by the milk producers for an increase in the price of milk; and if he will make a general statement as to his future intentions in regard to this matter having regard to the serious plight of these farmers.

Mr. Haughey

I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 64 and 65 together.

I met representatives of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association last month. The price of milk, the creamery milk quality grading scheme and the Association's proposals for a two tier price system were the principal topics discussed.

I wrote to the President of the Association on 13th April regarding the question of an increase in the creamery milk price and the Association's contemplated action. That letter sets out my views on this subject. It has already been published, together with the reply from the Association's President, and I am arranging to have copies placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

Does the Minister not seriously consider that having regard to the increase in the cost of labour, the increase in the rates and the general all round increase in the cost of living—he has already agreed that other sections of the community have had an income increase—the income of the dairy farmers has been reduced, having regard to that of other categories? Surely the Minister should be able to grant an increase in the price of milk?

Mr. Haughey

May I quote from a letter which I sent to the President of the Irish Milk Suppliers' Association on the 13th April, 1966:

I am anxious at all times to work in close co-operation with the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association for the benefit of the creamery milk industry, to discuss its progress and development and to receive any suggestions they may wish to make. I cannot do this in any satisfactory way in an atmosphere of intimidation and strife. I cannot deal at all with the Association if it engages in activities which are manifestly illegal. I think it should be clear to all in the circumstances of today that the Association can best serve the needs of the industry and its members by working with the Government of the day in a constructive way for the improvement of the industry and not by any other means. I have already stated that the Government would have liked to increase the price of milk but simply could not do so because of the position of the Exchequer. I have also said that there are other ways in which the income of the dairy farmer can be increased. If you think a discussion about this, or any other aspect of the industry, would be of advantage at this stage I will be happy to receive a deputation from the Association at any time.

Is that not a fair statement of the position?

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

Yes. If the Creamery Milk Suppliers agree to withdraw their pickets which I most certainly do not approve of, from Leinster House will the Minister then enter into negotiations and grant some concession?

Mr. Haughey

Certainly.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

What concession would the Minister give?

Mr. Haughey

I have already indicated to the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association and also to a number of Deputies who came to see me about this matter that I would be more than anxious to sit down with the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers and discuss their general income position. I cannot do so as long as this circus goes on.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

In order to restore harmony and goodwill between the Minister and the farmers, which is very desirable, will the Minister consult with the Minister for Justice and ask that there be no further arrests so that co-operation can prevail on all sides and the Minister can deal freely with the Association?

Mr. Haughey

That does not arise on this question. Deputies should know that as long as this circus goes on outside this House no harmony can prevail.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

It is not a circus. Those are all very decent hardworking, industrious farmers.

(Interruptions.)

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Question No. 65.

Mr. L'Estrange

Is it not true that the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association and the NFA have been working and co-operating with the Government for the past three years but they have got nothing only promises from them? Is that not a lesson for them?

Mr. Haughey

That is nonsense.

Mr. L'Estrange

It certainly is not. The income of the farmers has dropped.

Mr. Haughey

That is not true.

Mr. L'Estrange

The statistics published recently show that their income has dropped by three per cent more than any other category in the country.

Mr. Haughey

I discuss those matters regularly and in great detail with the representatives of the farmers' organisation. It is utter nonsense to say that nothing has been done in the last three years. Time and again, when the farmers organisation have come to me and have shown good grounds why something should be done such as the introduction of a quality milk scheme or an increase of say 10/- in the price of wheat or an increase in the price of barley or anything else I have been more than willing to meet them.

Mr. L'Estrange

The price of wheat has not been increased.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

Surely the Minister agrees that the dairy farmers are very hardworking people and will he not agree that their incomes are dropping?

Mr. Haughey

I do not agree.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

Surely the Minister will consider settling matters by giving the dairy farmers an increase?

Mr. Haughey

We want to discuss this in a sensible way. Deputies must agree that the position of the Creamery Milk Suppliers has improved.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

It has not.

Mr. Haughey

The figures show that the average milk cheque has increased year by year.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

So have the rates and everything else.

Mr. Harte

Might I say this in defence of the statement made by the Minister regarding this side of the House? He said that this side of the House were play-acting. Does he not agree that no Members on this side of the House has led the protesters? Surely he remembers that some years ago, when Deputy Dillon was Minister for Agriculture, there was a Fianna Fáil Deputy outside Government Buildings?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I am calling Question No. 65.

Mr. Haughey

I answered Questions Nos. 64 and 65 together.

Mr. O'Malley

What did Fine Gael ever do for the dairy farmers in the country?

(Interruptions.)

Mr. L'Estrange

They paid them.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

I beg of the Minister for Health not to intervene and complicate things further. In the interests of reason and good sense would the Minister for Agriculture and the Minister for Justice put their heads together to try to ease this problem which has led to the situation that is taking place outside the gates of Leinster House and not have respectable, decent, hardworking people marching outside?

Mr. Haughey

The only men who can solve the present difficulty are the Executive of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association who I think should now say to themselves that they have now made their protest and that in the genuine interest of everyone they will cease what they are doing and come and talk to me.